The new Centre for Paramedicine, housed within the dedicated capability hub at Victoria University in Sunshine, is a testament to the commitment of the government to provide top-notch training for paramedics.
The Minister for Ambulance Services inaugurated the pioneering capability hub, a first of its kind in Australia. During the event, she met a group of 54 recently graduated paramedics who will receive training at the hub before embarking on their missions to provide essential care to the people of Victoria.
The newly established hub is a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically for the purpose of enhancing the skills development of paramedics throughout the state. Equipped with dedicated training spaces, the hub will operate seven days a week to ensure continuous support for paramedics. This collaborative endeavour between Ambulance Victoria and Victoria University underscores their joint commitment to advancing the field of paramedicine.
As the central administration point for operational education and training, the hub will effectively cater to all the learning requirements of our paramedics. It will serve as a hub for the delivery of cutting-edge learning technologies, such as virtual reality and simulation training, enabling paramedics to stay updated with the latest advancements in their field.
Additionally, the hub will greatly enhance the facilitation of online learning, ensuring a more seamless and efficient educational experience for paramedics.
The hub will play a crucial role in conducting both graduate and qualified paramedic induction programs. It will serve as a dedicated platform for these programs, ensuring a comprehensive and structured approach to onboarding new graduates and supporting their transition into the field.
Moreover, the hub will provide valuable assistance to qualified paramedics in meeting their annual requirement of 40 hours of professional development. By offering relevant resources and opportunities, the hub will contribute to the continuous growth and skill enhancement of paramedics throughout their careers.
Out of the cohort of 54 graduates commencing their careers with Ambulance Victoria, 29 of them will be stationed in metropolitan Melbourne, while the remaining 25 will be deployed across various regions in Victoria. These regional assignments will be distributed across areas such as Gippsland, Loddon Mallee, Grampians, and Hume, ensuring that paramedic coverage is provided to communities outside of the metropolitan area. This balanced distribution of paramedics aims to address the needs of both urban and regional areas in Victoria.
In the Victorian Budget for the fiscal year 2023/24, an allocation of AU$10 million has been designated for the construction of a new Centre for Paramedicine at Victoria University. This specialised facility will have a primary focus on training the future generation of paramedics, employing advanced teaching methods and techniques. With a projected capacity to train approximately 1,500 paramedic students annually, the Centre will significantly contribute to the development of a skilled paramedic workforce.
This year’s budget includes a substantial funding of over AU$277 million to address several aspects within the paramedic sector. This funding aims to recruit more paramedics, enhance training programs, and support innovative models of care. These initiatives collectively demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the quality of paramedic services, ensuring better training opportunities, and promoting advancements in healthcare delivery.
The recruitment of over 1,300 paramedics in the past two years showcases the significant efforts undertaken to address the growing demand for emergency healthcare services. The establishment of the capability hub and Centre for Paramedicine will play a vital role in supporting both the present and future generations of paramedics in meeting this increasing demand.
By providing state-of-the-art training facilities, these initiatives will equip paramedics with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to effectively respond to emergency situations. This strategic investment underscores the commitment to ensuring the availability of well-prepared paramedics who can deliver high-quality healthcare services to the community.
The Minister for Ambulance Services emphasised the provision of increased recruits and state-of-the-art training facilities. This commitment aims to empower paramedics to deliver the highest quality care to the people of Victoria.
The Member for St Albans stated that the successful implementation of the new capability hub at Victoria University and highlights upcoming plans to further enhance the paramedic training infrastructure. This includes the upcoming construction of Australia’s first-ever Centre for Paramedicine, which will serve as a significant milestone in advancing the field of paramedicine in the country.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University, the institution has a rich tradition of producing highly skilled professionals who serve the community in various critical roles such as midwives, nurses, aged-care assistants, patient transport officers, and paramedics. In an exciting development, a collaborative effort between Victoria University and Ambulance Victoria is underway to establish Australia’s inaugural Centre of Excellence in Paramedicine.
This innovative centre, designed through a shared vision, will facilitate the cultivation of exceptional expertise precisely when it is most essential, ensuring that Victoria University remains at the forefront of skill development in this crucial field.
